Technical Communications I (TLM1010) is one module that I enjoyed in my first trimester in SIT. Being unique from all the other engineering modules that I took, this module has taught me many useful skills in writing and oral communication. The skills that I have picked up in writing include, formal and transmittal letter writing, product description summary, referencing and citation of sources (APA Style), developing problem and writing a design proposal report, just to name a few. The opportunity to present our idea via presentation has allowed me to learn effective and efficient delivery of ideas to audiences, importance of body language and confidence.

Group assignments and interactive activities in class provided me opportunities to know more about my fellow course mates as we learn and grow together as an individual and as a group. More than just technical skills that we have picked up, we also forged strong friendships and teamwork as we work as one. Of all activities that we have had, I enjoyed the first lesson most. I could still vividly remember how awkward I felt as I came from a different educational background, without any friends. It was the ice-breaker game where we had to pair up with the allocated individual to go about interviewing others and getting signatures, which helped me open up and eventually made more friends. I really enjoyed that session most.

Also, I like how interactive this module is, peer feedback are valued and exchanged to helped each other improve on our drafts by pointing out the specific areas of which could be further improved and also giving credits to the parts which were well-done. Through this activity, we are also able to learn from the mistakes that our peers had made.
All in all, I have enjoyed this 20 hours course with my peers and Brad. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn from Brad and also to forge many friendship with my course mates. I am confident that the effective communication skills I have learned would be of great help to me in both my educational journey and working life in the near future. I look forward to more learning opportunities from you, Brad. Thank you!

Executive Summary

This report provides summary of the current product Hum, drawbacks, and an evaluation of the proposed solution. It explains the current features and functions of Hum and also discusses its lacking features and functions as an ideal Telematics product. The report also presents information about the three main components of Hum and how these work as a diagnostic telematics solution. Solutions to improve Hum are proposed and elaborated in the solution section, where the analysis is discussed. The analysis includes benefits and possible challenges that the solution may encounter. The report concludes that by improving Hum, the product will be able to improve user experience, safety and convenience.

Letter of transmittal

Date: 27 October, 2016

From: LIVE (Ian, Wei Sheng, Sheryl)

To: Brad Blackstone

Cc. Mitchelle Waaras

Subject: Letter of Transmittal

Dear Brad,

With reference to the letter of authorization, we thank you for having the opportunity to submit this report on the telematics product, Hum by Verizon. The report provides information about the product, possible improvements on it, and benefits of the improved product.

The product lacks important features such as navigation and voice control.

Once again, we are grateful for this opportunity to further assist in maximizing the industrial capacity by improving a telematics solution product.

The section “Fleet One Helps Narrow down Important Data” of the article “The Evolution of Telematics “(Fletcher & Suizo, 2011), introduces the key software functionalities of the Fleet One Vehicle Tracking system, developed by WEX Fleet One. Fleet One Vehicle Tracking system offers a wide range of secured and enhanced GPS fleet tracking solutions to both the private and government sectors, catering to vehicle fleets of varying sizes. This system consists of a GPS tracking unit installed in each vehicle, a “two-way touch screen interface” and a desktop and mobile application. Fleet companies are able to extract important fleet information through this highly efficient system. According to Goetz, a product specialist for Fleet One, this tracking System features value-added functions such as “integrated fuel transaction reporting”, “automated reporting” and “integration with Google Maps”. With these features, transmission of vital fleet information such as current traffic situations are enhanced. The “automated reporting” function eliminates the hassle of constant monitoring of fleet’s status as it notify fleet managers vital fleet data. In conjunction with this system, Fleet One introduced two distance-based fuel integration card, “Over the Road” fuel card and the “All Roads” fuel card (Fleet One, n.d.), for vehicles travelling on short and long haul distances respectively.

The Fleet One Vehicle Tracking system is an advanced technology product that is competent in the market in terms of its functionalities and fleet efficiency. One similar product would be GPS Insight.

Similar to Fleet One, GPS Insight also has a fleet monitoring system with additional fuel integration card. Fleet One’s distance-based integrated fuel card allows the company to choose a more compatible card depending on its fleet vehicle travelling distance. This allows better management of fuel transactions and clearer overview of fuel management. In contrast to GPS Insight (GPS Insight, n.d.) that only employs a single fuel card regardless of its distance, reflects that its system is less comprehensive as compared to Fleet One.

Additionally, mobile application used by Fleet One drivers as part of its tracking system prompts user the shortest route to the nearest and cheapest fuel station (Fleet One, 2014). This allows drivers to plan their fleet routes, maximizing fuel efficiency. In contrast, GPS Insight’s mobile application only prompts user of the nearest fuel pump, lacking in the price comparison feature (Rob, n.d.). Hence, Fleet One stood out as a more cost-effective product.

All in all, its unique functionalities and wide variety of customizations made me feel that Fleet One Vehicle Tracking system is a more holistic, fleet efficient and value for money product.

The article “Fleet One Helps Narrow Down Important Data” introduces the Fleet One Vehicle Tracking system which is developed by WEX Fleet One. It offers a wide range of GPS fleet tracking solutions to both the private and government sectors, catering to vehicle fleets of varying sizes.

According to Goetz (2011), Fleet One’s digital platform consists of a two-way touch screen interface for better fleet information management. The system is made cost effective with value-added features such as online account and “fuel purchasing management” reducing fraud at fuel pumps. To aid new users, training provided by GPS salesperson is available via both online and offline platforms.

Additionally, Fleet One also has two types of fuel cards which allow companies to transact using credits and monitor drivers’ activities online. The cards All roads fuel card and Over the road fuel card, are differentiable by the extent of the distance the fleet vehicle travels.

We will be evaluating Fleet One’s system base on 3 factors, its functions, ease of usage and how beneficial it is to the companies.

The software is the essence of a product. In this section, we will be focusing on GPS system fuel card functions. Fleet One’s GPS system is able to locate the nearest and cheapest fuel Kiosk, monitor and notify drivers on road conditions. GPS insight also provide a fuel card function. But it does not provide fuel price indication for price comparison between kiosk, which could result in unnecessary fuel expenses. Therefore, Fleet One’s system is more holistically sound which is evident from the comparison with GPS Insight, a fleet management company.

In addition, convenience and the ease of usage of a product are what customers look out for. According to Fleet One’s website, its cards are accepted nationwide at over 60,000 convenience stores and 7,100 truck stops as compared to GPS Insight’s fuel card which is accepted at 45,000 stores. With more available kiosk stations in collaboration with Fleet One, drivers would be able to seek maintenance faster which in turn increases the company’s efficiency, productivity and income by reducing time on searching for appropriate services. Therefore, in the case of convenience, Fleet One has been proven its stand.

All in all, I feel that Fleet One’s invention is holistic and beneficial in terms of efficiency to the end-users in Telematics industry.

Fleet One automobile Tracking system is developed by WEX Fleet One which provides a range of GPS tracking solutions to both the private and government sectors. According to Goetz (2011), Fleet One’s digital platform consists of a two-way touch screen interface for better fleet information management. Furthermore, value-added features such as online account and fuel purchasing management reduces fraud at fuel pumps, making the system value for money. In addition, trainings are provided by the GPS salesperson to new users through both online and offline platforms.

In my opinion, I feel that its invention is beneficial in terms of efficiency to the end-users in Telematics industry.

Fleet One automobile Tracking system is developed by WEX Fleet One which provides a range of GPS tracking solutions to both the private and government sectors. According to Goetz (2011), Fleet One’s digital platform consists of a two-way touch screen interface for better fleet information management. Furthermore, value-added features such as online account and fuel purchasing management reduces fraud at fuel pumps, making the system value for money. In addition, trainings are provided by the GPS salesperson to new users through both online and offline platforms.

I am Toh Zhi Ting, Sheryl. I graduated from Pioneer Junior College with an A-level certificate a year ago. Upon graduating, I decided to join the workforce to gain working experience and widen my perspective before returning back to my education journey.

My experience in the workforce was a fruitful one as it has allowed me to better understand my preferences for jobs. During that period, I had the chance to work under three companies, namely IntoEProjects, People’s Association (PA) and Coca-Cola. Amongst the three, I enjoyed my stay in PA Headquarters the most due to the friendly working environment and its nature of work. I would like to work for PA upon graduation in SIT, should I be granted the chance to. Nonetheless, I am very grateful for the opportunity given by the companies for such exposure.

Besides working, I also had my fair share of leisure in sports and travelling. I have an undying love for travelling but not the capability to travel frequently. Therefore, I hope to excel in SIT, in hope to earn sufficient money in the future to fund my interest in travelling with my loved ones. I also hope to backpack to different countries to explore more than just the tourists attractions, but to understand more about their culture.

Last but not least, thank you for taking time off to read my email. I look forward to more Friday sharing sessions with you.